Use some fine sand paper to scuff the tire. A new, slick tire will not grip the balls well. This will result in inconsistency.

Make sure the skid plate is adjusted correctly. The gap between the tire and the metal plate should be 1/4” smaller than the size of the ball. (All the way down for baseballs)

Make sure the balls you are using are of similar wear/condition. A way to test if it is the balls or the machine is by throwing the exact same ball over and over again by having someone pass it back to you.

Yes, we have sold and shipped machines to Eastern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Israel, Central and South America and many more countries around the world. In your order please use an email that you will respond to quickly, so that we can advise on shipping costs.

First Pitch Machines will throw real baseball or softballs. Pitching machine balls will provide more consistency, but the important thing to remember is that all the balls should be the same and in similar condition for consistent pitches.

Both of these machines have the same motor and controller and for the most part are the same. There are three basic differences. 1. The original has two sets of legs for baseball or softball, The XL has legs adjust so that only one set of legs is required. 2. While the original will tip forward for ground balls and back for high arc pitches, the XL will tip further back to throw pop flies. 3. The XL has a 360-degree swivel feature for more versatile fielding practice.

The speed is measured with a radar gun at sixty feet, measuring the speed of the ball as it exits the machine. Of course the ball is moving as the radar gun is measuring it but the speed is measured close to the machine as it is when measuring the speed of a live pitch.